lured business away

[keannu]

Does this "business" mean "work like deals or transactions" or "companies"? Did shopping malls lure companies to them or steal their work to them?

74)America's malls have brought considerable convenience to the experience of shopping, but some of their effects have not been so appealing. The majority of a mall's stores and services are part of larger enterprises that have lured business away from smaller shops, leaving many unable to survive. That has meant less individually owned businesses and reduced local control over jobs...

[bhaisahab]

Does this "business" mean "work like deals or transactions" or "companies"? Did shopping malls lure companies to them or steal their work to them?

74)America's malls have brought considerable convenience to the experience of shopping, but some of their effects have not been so appealing. The majority of a mall's stores and services are part of larger enterprises that have lured business away from smaller shops, leaving many unable to survive. That has meant less individually owned businesses and reduced local control over jobs...

They have taken customers away from small shops.